The Civil War is not so much a traditional book musical
as it is a free-form musical extravaganza intended to take advantage
of the unique talents of composer Frank Wildhorn. The show incorporates
letters, diaries, historical documents and Walt Whitman's poetry
as it explores the brutal civil war that claimed the lives of
620,000 Americans. Following events from the beginnings of the
war at Fort Sumpter all the way to its bloody conclusion, The
Civil War focuses not only on issues of the unity of the
nation and the abolition of slavery, but also on the impact of
the war on individual families. The score includes a number of
brilliant songs including "Sons of Dixie" in which
young recruits, expecting a quick victory, look forward to parades
in their honor and the admiration of women. Other memorable numbers
include "Tell My Father" in which a dead soldier sings
to his brother who is fighting on the opposite side and "Judgement
Day" in which two captains question whether they are doing
the right thing.